Stand-by sling

ABSTRACT

A stand-by sling characterized in that it comprises a strap-like element ( 1 ) made from a flexible, near inelastic material, one end ( 2 ) of which element ( 1 ) is attached to the sleeve or adjoining area/back of a loosely fitting outer garment, and the other end of which is formed like a loop and placed in the hand of the resting arm at the natural termination of the sleeve ( 3 ) (cuff), so that the stand-by sling ( 1 ) remains taut during use without the marksman having to bend his elbow.

The present invention regards a stand-by device in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

More particularly, the invention regards a stand-by device designated a stand-by sling, which allows a marksman to quickly improve his accuracy, by providing support for the weapon when a marksman assumes the firing position. The marksman can obtain support for targets at different vertical heights without having to adjust the length of the stand-by sling. When not preparing to fire, the marksman retains good mobility of the shoulder and elbow joints, even with the stand-by device fitted.

Marksmen wish to hit their targets with the greatest possible accuracy. This requires a marksman to hold the weapon as steady as possible. The best support is obtained by resting the weapon against a fixed immobile object of a suitable height. If the marksman is in motion or is required quickly to assume the firing position and take aim at appearing and/or moving targets, it is not expedient to bring along objects to provide a rest in the various firing positions. The invention contributes to stabilizing the weapon for the desired firing line.

The problem has previously been solved by the marksman utilizing different forms of firing slings. In this context, reference is made to the following patent publications:

U.S. Pat. No. 8,896,58

U.S. Pat. No. 1,103,824

U.S. Pat. No. 1,288,684

U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,753

U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,477

U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,108

U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,878

U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,301

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,749

A common feature to all known firing slings is that it is attached to the outside of outer wear with one end around the upper arm, as close to the shoulder as possible, tightly enough to prevent it from sliding down towards the elbow on the arm that is to keep the weapon steady (resting arm). The other end of the firing sling is fastened around the hand of the resting arm. The length of the firing sling must be adjusted according to each target at the different heights, ensuring that the weapon is kept steady and aimed at the target at the correct height when the sling is taut.

The problem is not a new one. When firing a weapon without the use of a rest, achieving the best point of impact requires the best possible support for the weapon. At all times, marksmen have striven to achieve the best possible hit.

When a firing sling is fitted to the upper arm without the other end being in the palm of the hand of the resting arm, the “unused” end will hang freely on the outside of the sleeve, which means the marksman may get caught on something, and he will need to locate the loop when wishing to increase his state of readiness. If the marksman wishes to achieve the best possible firing position the length of the firing sling must be adjusted for each target presented at a new height, in order to ensure that the muzzle of the gun is at the correct horizontal height for the target. When the firing sling is fitted without the marksman being in the firing position, known firing slings will prevent the marksman from extending the elbow beyond the position achieved in the firing position, thus inhibiting/preventing the marksman from e.g. scratching, warming his fingers in his trouser pockets, retrieving things from pockets, tying shoelaces etc. Firing slings must be refitted to the upper arm every time the marksman puts on a jacket/sweater or changes the clothing on his upper body. If not properly tightened, or if there is insufficient friction between the upper arm and clothing, or between layers of clothing, firing slings will slide down from the shoulder towards the elbow. There will almost always be a gap between the jacket/sweater and the glove/mitten if the marksman wishes to wear a glove/mitten on the outside of the firing sling.

The object of the invention is to provide a stand-by sling of the type mentioned by way of introduction, which will allow the marksman to fire shots at a higher speed and with greater accuracy, at targets positioned at different heights, than would be possible by use of all other known solutions.

This object is achieved through a stand-by sling of the type mentioned by way of introduction, characterized by the features listed in the appended claim 1. The stand-by sling is fitted to an outer garment in a manner that utilizes some of the elements that characterize a firing position and the construction of the garment.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail by way of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an outer garment with the stand-by sling (1) fitted, with a loop (2). The outer garment is such that the circumference of the sleeve is smaller at the cuff (3) than at the shoulder (4).

FIG. 2 shows the marksman with the stand-by device fitted and the resting arm hanging freely. The figure further shows the axis (5) of the resting arm, the axis (6) of the stand-by sling, and the direction (7) in which the marksman moves the resting arm when assuming the firing position.

FIG. 3 shows the curved shape of the stand-by device as the marksman assumes the firing position. The palm of the hand of the marksman's resting arm faces upwards (8) and the arm pit (9) of the outer garment is higher than the outer clothing at the elbow (10).

As shown in FIG. 1 the stand-by sling consists of a band/cord/sling made from a flexible, non-elastic material attached to the sleeve or adjoining area of an outer garment that is not tight-fitting. The other end is looped and placed inside the hand of the resting arm where the sleeve has its natural termination (cuff), so that the stand-by device is taut without the marksman bending his elbow.

Assuming the firing position is characterized by the marksman moving his arms as if to embrace the weapon with his hands at head level in front of his face. At the same time, the head is stretched towards the resting arm, while the shoulder of the opposite arm is raised and moved forward to meet the recoil of the weapon. When the marksman goes through these motions his elbows move towards the cuffs of the sleeves of the outer garment. This happens because the marksman moves using his shoulders as an axis, while the axis of the stand-by sling is the transition between the underside of the sleeve and the front/back of the outer garment. The stand-by sling prevents the marksman from straightening his elbow, and through this support is achieved.

In the firing position the marksman also twists the palm of the hand of the resting arm up, with the fingers pointing along the firing line, allowing the gun to be placed in the palm. To do this, the marksman must bend the elbow of the resting arm further.

The stand-by sling does no extend along a straight line between the arm pit and the hand of the resting arm, but rather in a curve, requiring the marksman to bend the elbow of the resting arm further.

When the firing position is assumed the upper sleeves of the outer garment tighten further against the biceps of the marksman, and the marksman places the weapon against one shoulder. This reduces the risk of the outer garment moving on the marksman's body, even when the stand-by sling is strained by the weight of the weapon.

To move the point of impact up the marksman positions the elbow of the resting arm nearer to the sleeve cuff of the outer garment. As the circumference of the sleeve decreases steadily from the shoulder towards the cuff, the curve of the stand-by sling increases, and so the point of impact moves up.

Likewise the marksman can position the elbow of the resting arm further towards the back of the outer garment An order to obtain a rest. for aiming the weapon at targets positioned at a lower level.

When firing at targets located e.g. 50-200 metres from the marksman, the smallest of change in the length of the stand-by sling will result in a large difference in horizontal height.

If this adjustment of height is insufficient the marksman can achieve a lower point of impact by roughly adjusting the stand-by sling through “lifting” his shoulders in order to move the axis of the stand-by sling closer to the shoulder joint as the firing position is assumed.

For rough adjustment to a higher point of impact the marksman moves the axis of the stand-by sling further away from the shoulder joint by pulling the front/back of the outer garment down.

When the marksman places the elbow of the resting arm against a support, e.g. for firing from a kneeling position or from a prone firing position, the sleeve of the outer garment is prevented from moving with respect to the marksman's arm, and so the stand-by sling remains in the desired position.

Alternative ways of obtaining support is to use known firing slings, hunting straps and similar.

The unique feature of the stand-by sling is that it allows the marksman quickly to assume the firing position (high state of readiness), while at the same time offering good mobility of the elbow of the marksman's resting arm.

No known solutions allow the marksman quickly to assume an ideal firing position for targets at different heights without requiring a lengthwise adjustment of the firing sling while holding the weapon steady.

The stand-by device makes it possible to obtain support without allowing any onlookers to notice the high state of readiness. This is of advantage to the police and armed forces in certain situations. This stand-by sling is the only one that does not have to be fitted to the outside of outer clothing.

The invention will help marksmen to fire quicker and more accurately, at targets at different heights, than would be possible with other known solutions.

The described mode is the most expedient and most effective. Other embodiments that make use of the described features of the stand-by sling and the axis of the resting arm by designing the outer garment according to this, provides some of the same effect e.g. by making a hole for the thumb by the sleeve cuff.

Changing the curve of the stand-by sling can also be done by using a separate tensioning mechanism between the stand-by sling and the resting arm between the cuff and the shoulder. 

1. Stand-by sling, characterized in that it comprises a strap-like element (1) made from a flexible, near inelastic material, one end (2) of which element (1) is attached to the sleeve or adjoining area/back of a loosely fitting outer garment, and the other end of which is formed like a loop and placed in the hand of the resting arm at the natural termination of the sleeve (3) (cuff), so that the stand-by sling (1) remains taut during use without the marksman having to bend his elbow. 